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Feeding

I gave birth to Skyler on 8th September and having issues with breastfeeding.
Every time I think about going into formula I feel guilty 😢
Have had 3 lactation consultants in - all giving me different advice: use a nipple shield/don't use a nipple shield, she has tongue tie/she does not have tongue tie, give up and move to formula/do not give formula.....

My problem is I feel in such agony when she latches on - my nipples appear battered and bruised after each feed 😢 any tips or advice ladies?? Kinda getting desperate and low now 😢

Comments (11)

I don't have any constructive advice, but I just want to say - don't feel guilty about however you choose to feed your baby. Formula or breast - they are both enough for your baby. And you wouldn't be able to spot as an adult who had been breastfed and who had been formula fed. I'm combination feeding - and it's saved my sanity. And I'm sure my baby would prefer a bottle or two of formula, rather than a frazzled mum who is tired and crying all day.

Sounds like your baby isn't latching correctly- can you get to a BF (breastfeed, or boyfriend) support group? Often held in children's centres - when I had bad latching with my son nipple shields were a life saver, just gave a bit of a barrier to allow myself to heal.

But I also agree with Sophie, happy mummy means a happy baby. I ended up switching to formula with my son, however I am managing to feed my daughter this time, but I have accepted all support offered to do it successfully

I agree with Sophie. I've had terrible trouble, and pretty much the same mixed responses you've had, including the tongue tie debate. I've ended up combination feeding, so I'm expressing, but also getting him to latch on to feed, and then supplementing with formula. I hated going to formula at first, and was down about it, but actually my lo seems much happier, and it feels like a good balance.

Do what feels right for you and your little one, and don't feel guilty for your choices xx

I had to resort to formula on 3 occasions yesterday as she was feeding every hour or so and my nipples were in such agony.
My husband has been great finding lit which says nothing wrong with formula but every time I speak to midwife I m getting the message that the issue is me and my positioning and I should just be trying harder 😢 baby is so so perfect that I feel like I m letting her down by not just going with the pain - sounds stupid I know !!!!!

Just wish there was not so much anti formula propaganda on the Internet and that midwives and health care visitor recognise that I do want yo breast feed but can't cope with pain 😢

Sounds like baby isn't latching right,but as others have said do not feel guilty for how you feed YOUR baby!to many people have opinions but happy mummy = happy baby,you've quiet clearly tried very hard to get it right so well done you! You do what you feel is best for you and baby,feeding should be an enjoyable time how ever you do it so if bf is causing you a lot of pain and making you dread each feed then maybe give formula a go,just because you switch to formula it doesn't mean you can express still if you/your nips can take it,xxx

Posted at same time,expressing takes time to build up so don't feel down about how much you express if you want to keep going with it then do you will slowly but surly express more,lastly don't stress yourself!! Xx

I know exactly how you feel. My LO (little one) was feeding every hour for between 30-40 mins day and night. My nipples were raw and I was exhausted and crying all the time. After much agonising we formula fed for an evening to give my breasts a break. After this, LO (little one) was so settled and slept really well (as did I!) his nappies were better too and he just seemed far more contented. Luckily my midwife was very supportive and we discussed that formula just seemed to suit us better. Although it made me really sad I decided to formula feed 2x days ago and my LO (little one) seems so much happier which makes me happier too.

Please just make whatever decision that's right for you and your little one. Good luck with whatever you decide to do xxx

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